State’s new online-adoption tool yielding results, officials say

Jeremy AlfordCapitol Correspondent

Published: Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 7:12 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 7:12 p.m.

BATON ROUGE — Since it was implemented in 2009, the state’s Internet adoption portal has helped transfer 64 children from foster care to permanent homes, including some in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes.

It’s among the reasons why the state has seen a recent uptick in adoptions, officials with the Department of Children and Family Services said.

The Houma-Thibodaux region has been a contributor to this trend, going from 45 adoptions during the 2009-2010 fiscal year to 77 during the fiscal year that concluded June 30.

Statewide, there were 654 Louisiana children adopted by 468 families last fiscal year, an all-time high.

The state’s Online Adoption Initiative connects foster children with potential adoptive families by featuring and profiling the children on the DCFS website.

The initiative recognizes the goal that safety and permanence for children is a top state priority, said DCFS Secretary Suzy Sonnier.

“When reuniting children with their families is not possible, the DCFS works to connect them with loving homes through adoption,” she said. “Featuring adoption profiles on our website not only helps to connect children with families who are interested in adopting, but it also brings attention to the need in our state for more foster and adoptive parents and families.”

Here’s how it works:

Children from each region of Louisiana are selected on a monthly basis and profiled on the DCFS home page.

This month, potential adoptive parents were introduced via the site to Brandon, an “energetic Star Wars fan” who excels academically, among other things. Last month, it was a 4-year old who’s described as “lovable” and “enjoys chicken nuggets and giving hugs.”

Potential adoptive parents can select a child’s profile and obtain information such as their interests, needs, favorite foods and future aspirations. Photos are included as well.

The DCFS has so far profiled 137 children on the website, Sonnier said. Of these, nearly 47 percent, or 64 children, have been or are in the process of being adopted, including 14 sibling groups.

In addition to being profiled on the site, the children are featured in television and radio segments and in newspaper articles across their region.

There are 4,040 children in the Louisiana foster care system in 2,016 certified foster homes.

Still, there’s a need for more, and Sonnier said the department’s staff works together with community organizations to recruit homes for children who are available for adoption and who do not have an identified placement resource.

Foster and adoptive families are often recruited at community-speaking engagements with informational fliers, she said, and they’re encouraged to attend orientation meetings in their area to gather more information.

“The support and nurturing provided by foster parents and adoptive families is essential to ensuring positive long-term outcomes for those children who are unable to remain safely with their families,” Sonnier added.

Since September, 352 applicants have begun the process of becoming a foster family.

Orientation meetings are held every month across Louisiana for those wishing to learn more about foster parenting, qualifications and the certification process.

More information can also be found at www.dcfs.la.gov/fostercare, where there are guides to determine if families are ready to open their home to a child.

Instructions on how to start the adoption process can be found at www.dcfs.la.gov/adoption.

To view foster children featured on the DCFS website, visit www.dcfs.la.gov/adoptionprofiles.

<p>BATON ROUGE — Since it was implemented in 2009, the state's Internet adoption portal has helped transfer 64 children from foster care to permanent homes, including some in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. </p><p>It's among the reasons why the state has seen a recent uptick in adoptions, officials with the Department of Children and Family Services said. </p><p>The Houma-Thibodaux region has been a contributor to this trend, going from 45 adoptions during the 2009-2010 fiscal year to 77 during the fiscal year that concluded June 30.</p><p>Statewide, there were 654 Louisiana children adopted by 468 families last fiscal year, an all-time high. </p><p>The state's Online Adoption Initiative connects foster children with potential adoptive families by featuring and profiling the children on the DCFS website. </p><p>The initiative recognizes the goal that safety and permanence for children is a top state priority, said DCFS Secretary Suzy Sonnier.</p><p>“When reuniting children with their families is not possible, the DCFS works to connect them with loving homes through adoption,” she said. “Featuring adoption profiles on our website not only helps to connect children with families who are interested in adopting, but it also brings attention to the need in our state for more foster and adoptive parents and families.”</p><p>Here's how it works:</p><p>Children from each region of Louisiana are selected on a monthly basis and profiled on the DCFS home page. </p><p>This month, potential adoptive parents were introduced via the site to Brandon, an “energetic Star Wars fan” who excels academically, among other things. Last month, it was a 4-year old who's described as “lovable” and “enjoys chicken nuggets and giving hugs.” </p><p>Potential adoptive parents can select a child's profile and obtain information such as their interests, needs, favorite foods and future aspirations. Photos are included as well.</p><p>The DCFS has so far profiled 137 children on the website, Sonnier said. Of these, nearly 47 percent, or 64 children, have been or are in the process of being adopted, including 14 sibling groups.</p><p>In addition to being profiled on the site, the children are featured in television and radio segments and in newspaper articles across their region.</p><p>There are 4,040 children in the Louisiana foster care system in 2,016 certified foster homes. </p><p>Still, there's a need for more, and Sonnier said the department's staff works together with community organizations to recruit homes for children who are available for adoption and who do not have an identified placement resource. </p><p>Foster and adoptive families are often recruited at community-speaking engagements with informational fliers, she said, and they're encouraged to attend orientation meetings in their area to gather more information.</p><p>“The support and nurturing provided by foster parents and adoptive families is essential to ensuring positive long-term outcomes for those children who are unable to remain safely with their families,” Sonnier added. </p><p>Since September, 352 applicants have begun the process of becoming a foster family.</p><p>Orientation meetings are held every month across Louisiana for those wishing to learn more about foster parenting, qualifications and the certification process. </p><p>More information can also be found at www.dcfs.la.gov/fostercare, where there are guides to determine if families are ready to open their home to a child. </p><p>Instructions on how to start the adoption process can be found at www.dcfs.la.gov/adoption. </p><p>To view foster children featured on the DCFS website, visit www.dcfs.la.gov/adoptionprofiles.</p><p>Jeremy Alford can be reached at jeremy@jeremyalford.com.</p>